The Quiet Hour: Finding Time to Center Myself

Hello friends,

This past month has been difficult, busy, sad, and exhausting.

Between the loss of my mother-in-law, a busy season at work, and the everyday responsibilities of life, I’ve felt like everything has slowly been catching up with me. Sometimes it takes reaching that point of exhaustion to realize that I need to step away from the noise and disconnect from my usual routine.

Lately, I’ve been craving an off-the-grid kind of life—even if I can only find it for an hour.

I’ve been calling it my quiet hour.

It doesn’t necessarily mean going somewhere remote or completely unplugging for an entire day. For me, it can be as simple as putting my phone down, slowing down, and creating a little space to breathe and find my center again.

Clearing Space, Clearing My Mind

One thing I’ve found myself doing lately is cleaning and decluttering my home.

I’m going through the things that have quietly accumulated over time—items that no longer serve a purpose, household things I no longer use, and clothing that has been sitting in my closet unworn for months.

There’s something comforting about letting go.

When I remove the things that no longer serve me, my home feels lighter, and somehow, so do I.

I’ve also been transitioning my living room from summer into fall. I’m bringing in warm, earthy colors, cozy textures, softer lighting, and, of course, candles.

Creating a cozy home environment has always been one of the little things that helps energize me. I love watching the seasons change inside our home and finding simple ways to make our everyday surroundings feel warm and inviting.

A Little Digital Decluttering, Too

The decluttering hasn’t stopped at my home.

I’ve been giving my digital life a little attention, too.

Removing apps I don’t need. Deleting emails that have been sitting around forever. Clearing out duplicate photos and old messages.

It may seem like such a small thing, but those little changes can make a surprising difference.

Sometimes a fresh start doesn’t require a major life overhaul.

Sometimes it’s simply clearing a drawer, donating a few pieces of clothing, deleting 500 unnecessary photos, lighting a candle, and sitting quietly for a while.

Finding My Way Back to Myself

I’m realizing that I need these little pauses more than I thought.

Life can become so full that we forget to check in with ourselves.

For me, creating a quiet hour is about slowing down enough to ask myself: How am I really doing? What do I need right now?

Sometimes the answer is rest.

Sometimes it’s cleaning.

Sometimes it’s getting outside.

And sometimes, it’s simply getting away.

A camping trip to the coast is exactly the kind of reset I need right now. There is something about being near the ocean, stepping away from the normal routine, and spending time outdoors that helps put things back into perspective.

And before I know it, I’ll be planning another holiday getaway very soon after.

Maybe that’s my version of off-the-grid core—less noise, fewer distractions, more nature, and making room for the things that bring me back to myself.

For now, I’m taking it one quiet hour at a time.

If life has felt a little overwhelming for you lately, maybe you need one, too.

Put the phone down.

Light a candle.

Clear one small space.

Take a walk.

Sit outside.

Make a cup of something warm.

Give yourself permission to be still.

You don’t have to completely disappear from the world to reconnect with yourself.

Sometimes, one quiet hour is enough to begin again.

Until next Sunday,

♥️ Susan